Clothing rack



Jan. 26, 1943. R. A. MAGNUSON 2,309,465

CLOTHING RACK Filed May 29, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 26, 1943. R. A.MAGNUSON 2,309,455

- CLOTHING RACK Filed May 29, 1959 I 4 Sheis-Sheet 41 frw z 3 filgendA145022 Jam. 26, 1943. R. A. MAGNUSON 2,309,465 I CLOTHING max Filed May29, '1939 4 Sheets-SheetA Patented Jan. 26, 1943 UNITED STATES QEFECEmesne assignments, to R. Magnuson and Evelyn Peterson, copartners, doingbusiness of Vogel-Peterson Co.

Application May 29, 1939, Serial No. 276,363

4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in clothing racks and moreparticularly concerns a clothing rack unit of the type having twinsupporting posts or uprights carrying laterally projecting shelvingtherebetween.

A general object of the invention is to provide a strong, large capacitytwin-post clothing rack unit of simplified, inexpensive and efficientconstruction, all parts of which lend themselves readily tostandardization and low-cost mass production methods and can becompactly packed and shipped in knock-down condition to be easily andquickly assembled by use of ordinary tools and without special skill.

Another object is to provide a twin-post clothing rack which will avoidthe. need for special shelf-supporting structure such as cross arms orbars upon the supporting posts, and more particularly a rack in whichthe shelf structure is secured directly to the supporting posts in a newand improved manner.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent in the followingdescription and from the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a multiunit clothing rackembodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view of a permanent check-room arrangementof clothing racks.

Fig. 3 is a perspective View of a preferred form of foot-plate for usein a rack arrangement as shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view on a larger scale of therack shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an end elevational view of the rack of Figs. 1 and 4.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken in substantially the plane ofline 6-6 of Fig. 4 but on a slightly larger scale.

Fig. 7 is a fragmental front elevational view of a modified form of therack.

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially in the plane ofline 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a fragmental sectional plan view taken substantially in theplane of line 9-9' of Fig. 4.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional plan view taken in substantially theplane of line lB-Jll of Fig. 1.

Fig. 11 is a fragmental end elevational view of another slightlymodified form of the rack, with certain parts broken away.

Fig. 12 is a sectional plan view taken substantially along line |2-I2 ofFig. 11.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications andalternative constructions, I

A. Magnuson, A. Chicago, 111.,

under the firm name have shown in the drawings and will herein describein detail certain preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood thatI do not thereby intend to limit the invention to the specific formsdisclosed, but intend to cover all modifications and alternativeconstructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention asexpressed in the appended claims.

Generally speaking, each clothing rack unit of the present inventionembodies a combined hat shelf and coat hanger structure it; andsupporting means therefor including a pair of spaced parallel twinuprights or posts [6 which, in the preferred form, are metallic and ofsquare tubular cross section to assure minimum weight withoutsacrificing strength. The racks may be singleor double-sided, stationaryor portable and used singly or in combinations of units.

Any preferred base structure may be utilized for supporting the posts Itin rigid upright position. By way-of example, the base structure isshown (Figs. 1 and 5) as comprising spaced parallel base bars [1, onefor every post, and bracing means such as diagonal brace bars l8connected between the posts and the outer end portions of the base barsI! to hold the posts against tilting relative to the base bars. Thisarrangement is suitable for a portable or stationary rack, and the basebars I? are adapted to be equipped with casters or to be fastened downupon the floor.

The shelf and coat hanger structure iii of each rack unit may compriseany suitable number of vertically spaced, parallel shelves which areconnected between the upper portions of the supporting posts I6 in amanner to project laterally toward one or both sides of a commonvertical plane through the posts and in overhanging relation to the basebars I1. The shelves are preferably of a generally standardizedconstruction, each comprising a plurality of longitudinal metallic bodybars I!) of inverted channel shape which are connected together inspaced parallel relation by transverse metallic end frame bar members 29of inverted L-shape to form a rigid structure. Each of the end frame barmembers 20 has a vertical body flange 20 and an inwardly projectingupper horizontal flange 2| to the inner face of which, except in certaininstances as will be later described, the upper faces of the endportions of the body bars I!) are secured as by welding. Each shelf maybe divided into a plurality of hat sections by angularly shaped,parallel division bars 22 secured transversely across the upper faces ofthe body bars I 9' at suitably spaced intervals longtiudinally of theshelves. The outermost of the body bars l9 mav carry card-holding strips23.

According to the present invention, the shelves are secured directly tothe supporting posts It in a novel manner which avoids the use ofspecial shelf-supporting bars or arms upon the posts as has beencustomary in prior racks of this type. In a double-sided rack as bestseen in Figs. 1 to 10, inclusive, the vertical flange of each of the endframe bars 20 is preferably centrally formed with an inwardly offsetvertical engagement channel 24 which will receive the adjacent portionof the associated supporting post [6 in a half embrace. Through thisarrangement the frame bar flanges 20 of two shelves can be secured inabutment as by bolts (Fig. 10) with one of the posts I 6 fully embracedwithin the opposed channels 24. Thus a multi-unit rack (Fig. 1) can beproduced wherein one of the posts l6 serves double duty as a commoncenter support for two endto-end single rack units.

To complete the embracement of the supporting posts it at the oppositeends of either a multiunit rack or a single unit rack where the postsare embraced but half way around by the channels 24 of the end framebars, suitable sheets metal brackets or clamps 2'! may be used which arechanneled to form the counterpart of the channels 24 and have the endportions thereof in abutment with and secured to the flanges 2t] onopposite sides of the posts as by means of the bolts 25 (Fig. 9). In theregion of the engagement channel 24, the upper flange 2! of the endframe bar may be notched as best seen at 28 in Figs. 9 and 10 to affordnecessary clearance for the associated post l6. Although the end framebars 20 may be constructed of relatively thin sheet metal, freedom fromlateral sagging or tilting of the shelves is assured by having the endframe bar flanges 20*- of substantial width particularly at theengagement channels 24 where the greatest load resistance is required.From the channels 24 the flanges 2!) may taper toward their outer endswhere the load demands upon the end frame bars is less. Through thisarrangement, the structural elements necessary for connecting theshelves and posts together are reduced in number, and the weight of thecompleted rack is minimized without sacrificing strength or rigidity.

Means serving to insure proper location of the shleves upon the topportions of the posts It may be in the form of suitable spaced stops 29(Figs. 4 and '7) herein comprising appropriately dimensioned metalpieces secured to the outer faces of the posts as by welding. The stops29 are adapted to be engaged by the lower edges of the channels 24 or ofthe clamps 21, as the case may be, and will thus hold the adjacent endsof the shelves from possible downward displacement along the posts I6should the grip of the respective opposed engagement channels 24 in amultiunit rack, or the cooperating end clamps 21 and channels 24 in amultior single-unit rack, upon the posts be for any reasoninsuiiicientto withstand load requirements.

In constructing a one-sided rack embodying the invention (Figs. 11 and12), generally the same shelf construction is employed as in adouble-sided rack except that the shelves consist of only about onelongitudinal half of the full size shelves. Accordingly, the half-unitshelves include half the length end frame bars 20' having at their innerends offset vertical U-shaped channels or half jaws 24' for embracingthe respective posts l6 half way around. Just as in the doublesided formof rack, so also does the half embracing relationship of the channels 24upon the supporting posts [6 enable the half shelves of two one-sidedrack units to be mounted end to end to form a multi-unit rack whereinone of the posts I6 provides a common center support engaged between theadjoining end frame bars of the alined shelves. At the ends of the rackwhere no other rack unit is attached a jaw bracket or clamp 21', havingsubstantially the U-shaped counterpart of the half jaw channel 24, isre- .movably secured by bolts 25 to the frame bar 20 of each shelf tocomplete the embracement of the adjacent post l6 for connecting theshelf to the latter. Although the length of the channel 24' and thewidth of the clamps 21 assures a good cantilever attachment of the halfshelves to the posts 16, additional connecting means may be providedsuch as a bolt 3| secured through each of the clamps 21', the body ofthe post I6 and the associated channel 24'. The bolts 3| also hold theshelves against sliding down on the posts. Since a one-sided rack unitof this type is adapted to be backed against a wall it has base bars I?to the rear ends of which the posts It are attached and the weight ofthe overhanging shelf structure is prevented by brace bars l8 fromtilting the posts forwardly relative to the base bars. If desired, aone-sided rack unit substantially as described, may be used as a wallrack by eliminating the base bars I1 and the braces l8 and shorteningthe posts I6.

Each rack unit preferably has improved coat rail means associated withthe lowermost shelf thereof. As shown in Figs. 1, 4, 5, and 6, in a rackparticularly adapted for check-room service, the outermost longitudinalbody bars 19 of the lowermost shelf may be of a special invertedchannel-shape construction and have the inner depending flanges thereofof increased width to provide coat hanger rails 32, each of which has alongitudinal series of downwardly pointing triangular hanger-hookapertures 33 therein. Through this arrangement, the hook of a coathanger 34 can easily be inserted into one of the apertures 33 and willtake a centered, non-shifting position therein. In the preferred form,the number of coat hanger apertures 33 in the hanger rail 32 at eachside of the rack corresponds to the number of hat sections provided bythe several hat shelves on that side of the rack. For each of the coathanger apertures 33 a hook 35 may be provided to receive acorresponding, numbered check 31. Herein these hooks 35 may b secured tothe face of the outer flange of the hanger rail bar opposite to theapertures 33. The resulting arrangement provides a strong, inexpensiveand very convenient hanger rail construction which serves also as partof the hat supporting surface of the lowermost shelf of the rack.

In order to assure direct, positive support of the hanger rail bars bythe respective end frame bars 20 of the lower shelf of the rack, the endportions of the hanger rail bars are preferably carried by and securedto the upper faces of the horizontal attachment flanges 2! instead of tothe underfaces of such flanges as is the case with the remaining bodybars l9 of the shelf. The proper position of each end of the hanger railbar upon the end portion of each respective flange 2| is defined by aninwardly extending slot 38 (Fig. 9) within which the adjacent end of thehanger rail flange 32 is received. Through this construction, heavyloads can safely be carried by the hanger rail bar without danger ofdislodging the bar from its supports.

In a slightly modified form of hanger rail construction, as shown inFigs. 2, '7 and 8, particularly adapted for a self-service type of rack,the outer longitudinal body bars of the lower shelf may be provided withouter coat rail flanges 39 of increased width to which are attached auniformly spaced series of coat hooks 4B. The inner flanges of thesecoat rail bars, which may be not substantially different from theflanges of .the remaining longitudinal body bars I9 of the shelf, arereceived within the locating slots 38 in the upper supporting flange 2!of the end frame bars 29.

Means for reenforcing the racks to avoid end sway, may comprise diagonalbrace bars 4| connected between the supporting posts It and the lowerhat shelf substantially as shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 6. In thisarrangement the upper ends of the brace bars 44 are centrally bolted tothe outer face of the web of preferably channel-shaped transverseanchoring bars 42 only one of which is shown although each shelf unithas two. The latter bears against the inner longitudinal body bars 55 ofthe shelf and has right angular connecting flanges M at the oppositeends secured as by welding to the inner faces of the hanger rail flanges32 of the outermost body bars of the shelf between the adjacent ones ofthe hanger apertures 33. This arrangement provides a firm, balancedanchorage for the upper ends of the brace bars M Another form of bracingmeans for the racks may comprise a novel coat rail 43 (Figs. 7 and 8)which is of inverted U shape and has the end portions of the web thereofstruck up to provide flanges 64! for engaging the inner faces of thesupporting posts It to which such flanges are removably connected as bymeans of bolts 45. The ends of the vertical flanges of the rail 43 willthus extend beyond the connecting flange 44 to receive the respectivesupporting posts It therebetween and may be connected to the posts bybolts 4?. As a result, the hanger rail 43 will serve to hold the racksubstantially against end sway. However, to further insure rigidity inthe rack and avoid any possible tendency of the supporting posts tospread, diagonal brace bars 58 may be detachably secured to the postsand to the inside face of the web of the hanger rail.

A series of the coat hooks 46 may be carried on each side of the hangerrail 43. However, the hanger rail 43 may be constructed of relativelylight weight sheet metal and a series of spaced U-shaped bracing members49 are therefore preferably secured between the lower margins of theside flanges of the rail as reenforcement to avoid any tendency of suchflanges to bend inwardly under the weight of coats supported by the coathooks til.

In the one-sided form of rack of Fig. 11, diagonal brace bars 3!extending from the posts 46 may be anchored to the lower shelf throughthe medium of an angular bracket 42 secured to the inner face of the webof the innermost of the body bars 19 of the shelf.

A permanent check-room arrangement of the racks may be provided as seenin Fig. 2 wherein a number of racks are located in permanent, spacedparallel relation to provide access aisles therebetween. In thisarrangement the bases of the supporting posts l6 may be permanentlyatand reenforces the lower shelf.

tached to the floor through the medium of foot plates 5i] (Fig. 3) whichreplace the base structure hereinbefore described and have upstandinglocating bosses 5i fitting into the hollow lower ends of the posts. Attheir upper ends the posts I6 may project above the uppermost shelf andare connected together by one or more header bars 52 which at theiropposite ends may engage the walls of the check-room to hold the tops ofthe racks in alinement.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the present inventionprovides a new and improved clothing rack of the twin-post type which isof unusually simple and eiflcient construction, and has the shelf andsupporting structures detachably assembled so that it may be packed andshipped in knock-down condition and readily assembled with ordinarytools by unskilled persons. The improved shelf construction by afiordinga novel direct connection between the supporting posts and the shelf ina well balanced, rigid manner adapts the rack for large capacity andhigh efficiency although utilizing a minimum of structural parts in theassembly. Moreover, the improved coat and hanger rail features of therack combine a plurality of functions whereby to increase theefiicien-cy of the construction still further. The rack, furthermore, isreadily adaptable for various requirements and may be constructed insingle or multi-unit assemblies, doubleor single-sided, and eitherportable or stationary or in permanent check-room combinations.

I claim as my invention:

1. A garment rack comprising, in combination, a post supported inupright position, a shelf structure mounted on said post and comprisingtwo sections disposed in end-to-end relation on opposite sides of saidpost, each of said shelf sections comprising an angle bar extendingtransversely of the post with its vertical flange in faceto-faceabutment with the vertical flange of the opposite section, and anarticle-supporting member permanently securedvdirectly to said anglebar, the horizontal flanges on said angle bars being cut away toaccommodate said post, and said vertical flanges being offset in thedirection of the horizontal flanges and shaped to embrace the postsnugly, and means for fastening the abutting vertical flanges togetheradjacent the post.

2. A garment rack comprising, in combination, a post supported inupright position, and a garment supporting structure mounted on saidpost comprising an angle bar extending transversely of the post and anarticle-supporting member permanently secured directly to said anglebar, said angle bar having a horizontal flange with a notch midwaybetween the ends of the bar and of a width adapted snugly to receive thepost, said bar further having a depending vertical flange shaped to forma channel alined with said notch and partially embracing the post, andmeans cooperating with said channel to clamp the angle bar to said post.

3. A garment rack comprising, in combination, two posts supported inupright position, a plurality of cross bars mounted on each of saidposts in vertically spaced relation, articlesupporting memberspermanently secured directly to said cross bars and cooperatingtherewith to form shelves, said cross bars being of L-shapedcrosssection and comprising vertical flanges disposed substantially inalinement with the axes of the respective posts and horizontal flangescut away adjacent the posts to accommodate the same, the

vertical flange of each of said cross bars continuing beyond thehorizontal flange and being shaped to form a channel embracing the post,and means coacting with the channels of the cross bars to clamp the sameto the posts.

4. A garment rack comprising, in combination, two posts supported inupright position, a plurality of cross bars mounted on each of saidposts in vertically spaced relation, a plurality of channel-shapedmembers permanently secured at their opposite ends to the respectivecross bars and cooperating therewith to form shelves, said cross barsbeing of L-shaped cross-section and comprising vertical flanges disposedsubstantially in alinement with the axes of the respective posts, andhorizontal flanges notched midway between the ends thereof to receivethe respective posts, the portions of the vertical flanges within thenotched portions of the horizontal flanges being shaped to form channelspartially embracing the posts, and clamping members secured to saidvertical flanges and shaped to form channels embracing the sides of theposts opposite the channels in the cross bars.

RAYMOND A. MAGNUSON.

